CLEVELAND, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a black tie gala, Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management and the Council of Small Enterprises (COSE) announced the winners of the 2012 Weatherhead 100, which recognizes the fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio. This year's winners represent a wide range of industries, including technology, health care, professional services, insurance, manufacturing and human resources.

"The Weatherhead 100 companies serve as a beacon to all businesses in Northeast Ohio," said Robert Widing, Dean of The Weatherhead School of Management. "This year's list is a testament that the region's entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well."

The top 2012 Weatherhead 100 winner is Magnus International Group, Inc., a Painesville Township-based company that transforms vegetable oils and other raw materials into a range of renewable products such as natural animal feed ingredients, natural waxes and alternative fuels. The company was founded in 2007, and experienced sales growth of 2,735 percent from 2007 to 2011.

Using a ranking system, The Weatherhead 100 identified the 100 fastest growing companies based on sales from 2007 through 2011. Also honored were the Weatherhead 100 top 10 Centurions – the fastest growing companies in the larger, $100 million-plus sales category (with a minimum of 16 full-time employees) that have seen at least the sales growth of the #100 Weatherhead award winner; as well as the Weatherhead 100 top 20 Upstarts, growth companies in the smaller (15 or fewer employees) category that have seen at least the sales growth of the #100 Weatherhead award winner.

The top winner of the 2012 Weatherhead 100 Centurion category is Shearer's Foods, Inc., located in Massillon, Shearer's Foods manufactures and distributes Shearer's Award-Winning Snacks, and produces salted snacks for private label and co-pack customers. Founded in 1974, Shearer's Foods experienced sales growth of more than 220 percent from 2007 to 2011.

The top winner of the 2012 Weatherhead 100 Upstart category is Content Marketing Institute, which runs the largest international event in content marketing (Content Marketing World) and leading magazine (Chief Content Officer). Established in Cleveland in 2007 with 7 employees, Content Marketing Institute experienced sales growth of more than 1,684 percent from 2007 to 2011.

"The Weatherhead 100 winners are special, especially the 75 COSE/Greater Cleveland Partnership member companies that made this year's list," said Steve Millard, President and Executive Director of COSE. "Despite the challenges of the national and regional economy, these companies have forged ahead successfully for five consecutive years, growing their businesses and exceeding their own expectations and those of others. We applaud them."

Founded in 1987 by The Weatherhead School of Management, the Weatherhead 100 has been a leading honor bestowed on Northeast Ohio businesses. In 2004, COSE, which has nurtured the region's entrepreneurs for more than three decades, became a partner with the Weatherhead School of Management in this effort. Since its inception, more than 3,000 entrepreneurs have achieved the extraordinary business growth required for winning.

About the Weatherhead School of Management The Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management is an international center of management scholarship, committed to preparing and enhancing organizational leadership. The Weatherhead School is dedicated making discoveries of enduring consequence, developing innovative educational programs, fostering strategic partnerships with students and organizations, and providing services to multiple communities.

About COSECOSE is one of Ohio's largest small business support organization, striving to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. Comprised of more than 14,000 member companies, COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it's through group purchasing programs for health care, workers' compensation, or energy, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation to benefit small business, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from each other. (www.cose.org)